Nauset Spit to remain open after piping plovers move north

Real estate sure moves fast in East Orleans. The piping plovers nesting near the ORV entrance to Nauset Spit, at Callanan’s Pass, have unexpectedly relocated to the north.

It means that the Spit no longer will close as planned today, June 30.

Before the birds moved away from the ORV trail natural resource officials were set to take protective measures and shoo vehicles away from the popular drive-on beach, which is open only to Orleans residents with off-road stickers.

For the time being, the Spit will continue to be open to over-sand use daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., but bear in mind that all users are asked to start packing up at 8 p.m. and be off the beach entirely by 8:30.

“We hope you all enjoy your time at the beach and remember to respect all symbolic fencing and shorebird exclosures,” a statement from the town on Tuesday reads.

Meanwhile, there might be more good news soon about the South Beach trails, which have been closed to ORVs since June 7 due to the presence of 17 piping plover nests on both sides of the trail. Officials say that self-escorted access could begin as early as July 15.